Stirling Albion made a winning start to their League Two campaign with a 2–1 victory over Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium.

The Binos dominated for large spells and proved too strong for the hosts, with Russell McLean bagging a brace on his first league start for the club.

Edinburgh City pulled one back in the 90th minute through a Robert Mahon penalty, but Stirling held firm to see out the game and deservedly return home with all three points.

Alan Maybury named an unchanged starting XI following last weekend’s Premier Sports Cup clash with Dunfermline Athletic.

The Binos started brightly and, despite an early warning shot from Robert Mahon that forced a smart save from Derek Gaston after just eight minutes, they quickly took control of proceedings.

Stirling thought they had opened the scoring when Jack Harkness whipped in a pinpoint delivery that Dale Hilson cushioned into the path of Adam Brown to finish. Unfortunately, the celebrations were cut short by the assistant’s flag for offside.

That setback didn’t faze the Binos, who deservedly took the lead on 14 minutes. A high ball from the right found Russell McLean, who showed great composure to poke it past Mark Weir and into the net.

Just three minutes later, McLean was at it again. MacKenzie Carse launched a long ball forward that the striker latched onto, rounding Mark Weir and calmly slotting home to double Stirling’s advantage.

There was a blow midway through the first half when Dale Hilson was forced off following a late challenge by James Stokes. Hilson was replaced by Robbie McNab in the 24th minute.

Stirling continued to press and came close to adding a third when Ross Cunningham drove towards goal and attempted to nutmeg Weir, only to be denied by the goalkeeper’s outstretched leg.

McLean was inches away from securing a first-half hat-trick as he rifled a low shot off the far post after cutting in from the right.

Ross Cunningham almost capitalised on a defensive lapse shortly before half-time. Latching onto a brilliant lofted pass from Adam Brown, he raced through on goal, and although Weir stumbled, he recovered well to smother the danger.

Half-Time: Edinburgh City 0-2 Stirling Albion

Stirling began the second half with the same intent, piling pressure on the Edinburgh City backline and playing with confidence and control.

Adam Brown tried his luck from distance with a powerful strike that narrowly missed the target, before Ross Cunningham forced Weir into another save with a dipping drive from range.

Aidan Cannon came even closer to grabbing Stirling’s third with a superb effort from the edge of the box, but Weir was equal to it, tipping it wide with a fine fingertip stop.

Edinburgh City’s best chance of the afternoon fell to Jason Jarvis inside the Stirling box, but his tame effort was comfortably dealt with by Gaston.

The Binos refused to take their foot off the gas. Kane Thomson embarked on a dazzling run down the flank, weaving into the area. His shot was blocked but fell kindly to Adam Brown, who fired just wide under pressure.

Stirling continued to create chances and almost netted a third when a Carse cross deflected off a defender and looked destined for the bottom corner, only for Weir to scramble across and save.

Edinburgh City pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time when referee Stewart Luke pointed to the spot following a coming together between Lewis McArthur and Lee Hamilton during a corner. Robert Mahon stepped up and sent Gaston the wrong way.

Despite the late consolation, Stirling held firm through the final six minutes of added time and secured a thoroughly deserved opening-day victory, taking all three points back to Forthbank to kick-start the League Two campaign in style.

Full-Time: Edinburgh City 1-2 Stirling Albion